Packing device for electrical connectors

ABSTRACT

A packing device ( 1 ) is for accommodating electrical connectors ( 2 ). The packing device includes a body ( 10 ), and a plurality of cavities ( 11 ) defined in the body. Each cavity is bounded by a bottom wall having a higher front end ( 12 ) and a lower rear end ( 13 ), a front wall ( 14 ) adjacent the front end, and a rear wall ( 15 ) adjacent the rear end. A through slot ( 18 ) is defined in the front end. When the packing device filled. with electrical connectors reaches a corner or curve of an assembly line, a rearward one of two adjacent cavities tilts. The front wall at the rearward cavity bends into the slot at the rearward cavity, instead of contacting and bending or distorting the rear wall at the adjacent forward cavity. Thus, the electrical connector in the forward cavity can be reliably picked up by a suction machine of the assembly, line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a packing device, and particularly to a packing device for accommodating electrical connectors therein.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004]FIG. 4 shows a conventional packing device 9 for accommodating electrical connectors 8 therein. The packing device 9 is made of flexible material such as plastic, and comprises a longitudinal body and a plurality of closely spaced cavities 91 defined in a single row along a length of the body. The cavities 91 are for respectively accommodating the electrical connectors 8 therein. Each electrical connector 8 comprises a front portion 81 and an opposite rear portion 82. Each cavity 91 is bounded by a bottom wall of the body. The bottom wall comprises a higher front end 92 for supporting the front portion 81 of a corresponding electrical connector 8, and a lower rear end 93 for supporting the rear portion 82 of the corresponding electrical connector 8. Each cavity 91 is also bounded by a front wall 94 adjacent the higher front end 92, and a rear wall 95 adjacent the lower rear end 93. A gap 7 a is defined between the front portion 81 of each electrical connector 8 and the front wall 94 at the corresponding cavity 91. A gap 7 b is defined between the rear portion 82 of each electrical connector 8 and the rear wall 95 at said corresponding cavity 91.

[0005] In typical use, the packing device 9 is filled with electrical connectors 8, and rolled up onto a spool for transportation. The spool with the packing device 9 is subsequently installed at an assembly line where the electrical connectors 8 are to be attached to other electronic components such as circuit boards. The spool is unrolled at a uniform speed, and the packing device 9 is conveyed along the assembly line at a uniform speed. When the packing device 9 reaches a corner or a curve of the assembly line, a forward one of the cavities 91 remains horizontal, and an adjacent rearward one of the cavities 91 tilts. Thus the body of the packing device 9 is bent between the forward and rearward cavities 91. This results in the front wall 94 at the rearward cavity 91 bending toward the rear wall 95 at the forward cavity 91. The rear end 93 at the forward cavity 91 contacts and presses the front end 92. at the rearward cavity 91. Thus the rear wall 95 at the forward cavity 91 presses the rear portion 82 of the electrical connector 8 in the forward cavity 91, with the gap 7 b disappearing. Because of friction between said rear wall 95 and said rear portion 82, the electrical connector 8 cannot be reliably picked up from the packing device 9 by a suction machine of the assembly line.

[0006] In view of the above, a new packing device that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a packing device for accommodating electrical connectors, the packing device being configured so that each electrical connector accommodated therein can be reliably picked up by a suction machine of an assembly line.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a packing device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for accommodating electrical connectors therein. The packing device comprises a body, and a plurality of cavities defined in the body. Each cavity is bounded by a bottom wall, the bottom wall comprises a higher front end and a lower rear end. Each cavity is also bounded by a front wall adjacent the front end and a rear wall adjacent the rear end. A through slot is defined in the front end of the bottom wall, parallel to and adjacent the front wall. When the packing device filled with electrical connectors reaches a corner or a curve of an assembly line, a rearward one of two adjacent cavities tilts. The front wall at the rearward cavity bends into the slot at the rearward cavity, instead of contacting and bending or distorting the rear wall at the adjacent forward cavity. Thus, the electrical connector in the forward cavity can be reliably picked up by a suction machine of the assembly line.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a packing device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing two electrical connectors accommodated in the packing device, and another electrical connector ready to be accommodated in the packing device;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a conventional packing device, showing two electrical connectors accommodated in the packing device and another electrical connector ready to be accommodated in the packing device;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a circled portion VI of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the present invention in detail.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a packing device 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for accommodating electrical connectors therein 2. The packing device 1 is made of flexible material such as plastics, and comprises a longitudinal body 10 and a plurality of closely spaced cavities 11 defined in a single row along a length of the body 10. The cavities 11 are for respectively accommodating the electrical connectors 2 therein. Each electrical connector 2 comprises a front portion 21 and an opposite rear portion 22. Each cavity 11 is bounded by a bottom wall of the body 10. The bottom wall comprise a higher front end 12 for supporting the front portion 21 of a corresponding electrical connector 2, and a lower rear end 13 for supporting the rear portion 22 of the corresponding electrical connector 2. Each cavity 11 is also bounded by a front wall 14 adjacent the higher front end 12, and a rear wall 15 adjacent the lower rear end 13. A through slot 18 is defined in the front end 12 of the bottom wall at each cavity 11, parallel to and adjacent the front wall 14. A gap 17 a is defined between the front portion 21 of each electrical connector 2 and the front wall 14 at the corresponding cavity 11. A gap 17 b is defined between the rear portion 22 of each electrical connector 2 and the rear wall 15 at the corresponding cavity 11. A gap 16 is defined between the front wall 14 at each cavity 11 and an opposing rear wall 15 at an adjacent cavity 11.

[0018] In typical use, the packing device 1 is filled with electrical connectors 2, and rolled up onto a spool for transportation. The spool with the packing device 1 is subsequently installed at an assembly line where the electrical connectors 2 are to be attached to other electronic components such as circuit boards. The spool is unrolled at a uniform speed, and the packing device 1 is conveyed along the assembly line at a uniform speed. When the packing device 1 reaches a corner or a curve of the assembly line, a forward one of the cavities 11 remains horizontal, and an adjacent rearward one of the cavities 11 tilts. Thus the body 10 of the packing device 1 is bent between the forward and rearward cavities 11. Because the slot 18 at the rearward cavity 11 is defined in the front end 12 of the bottom wall and adjacent the front wall 14, the front wall 14 is bent into the slot 18 to contact the front portion 21 of the electrical connector 2 in the rearward cavity 11. Simultaneously, the front wall 14 is only slightly bent toward the opposing rear wall 15 at the forward cavity 11. Thus, the rear wall 15 at the forward cavity 11 does not contact or press the front wall 14 at the rearward cavity 11. The rear wall 15 at the forward cavity 11 is not bent or distorted. This ensures that the gap 17 b between the rear portion 22 of the electrical connector 2 in the forward cavity 11 and the rear wall 15 at the forward cavity 11 remains. Thus, the electrical connector 2 in the forward cavity 11 can be reliably picked up by a suction machine of the assembly line.

[0019] Thereafter, the rearward cavity 11 moves forward to the position previously occupied by the forward cavity 11. The rearward cavity 11 is horizontal, and the front wall 14 at the rearward cavity 11 rebounds to its original orientation relative to the body 10. Accordingly, the electrical connector 2 in the rearward cavity 11 can be reliably picked up by the suction machine.

[0020] While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been shown and described, equivalent modifications and changes known to persons skilled in the art according to the spirit of the present invention are considered within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packing device for accommodating electrical connectors therein, the packing device comprising: a longitudinal body; and a plurality of spaced cavities defined in the body for respectively accommodating the electrical connectors therein, each of the cavities being bounded by a bottom wall, a front wall and a rear wall of the body; wherein a through slot is defined in the bottom wall at each of the cavities adjacent the front wall or the rear wall.
 2. The packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavities are arranged end to end, and a gap is defined between the front wall at any one of the cavities and an opposing rear wall at an adjacent cavity.
 3. The packing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom wall at each of the cavities comprises a higher front end and a lower rear end.
 4. The packing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the through slot is defined in the front end of the bottom wall at each of the cavities.
 5. The packing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the electrical connectors are accommodated in the packing device, gaps are defined between each of the electrical connectors and corresponding adjacent front and rear walls at the corresponding cavity.
 6. A packing device for accommodating electrical connectors therein, the packing device comprising: a longitudinal body; and a plurality of spaced cavities defined in the body for respectively accommodating the electrical connectors therein, each of the cavities being bounded by a bottom wall, a front wall and a rear wall of the body; wherein one of the front and rear walls at each of the cavities can bend toward the bottom wall of the cavity.
 7. The packing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cavities are arranged end to end, and a gap is defined between the front wall at any one of the cavities and an opposing rear wall at an adjacent cavity.
 8. The packing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bottom wall at each of the cavities comprises a higher front end and a lower rear end.
 9. The packing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a slot is defined in the front end of the bottom wall at each of the cavities.
 10. The packing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the electrical connectors are accommodated in the packing device, gaps are defined between each of the electrical connectors and corresponding adjacent front and rear walls at the corresponding cavity.
 11. A packing device assembly comprising: a longitudinal body defining a lengthwise direction thereof; a plurality of cavities defined in the body and spaced from one another along said lengthwise direction, each of said cavities defining a bottom wall with front and rear walls at two ends thereof along said lengthwise direction; a plurality of connectors being disposed in each of said cavities, respectively; a space being formed between the connector and the front wall of the corresponding cavity when said cavity is in a horizontal manner; wherein a stand-by cavity of said cavities following and adjacent to a neighboring horizontal working cavity of said cavities, is obliquely, relative to the working horizontal cavity, extending along said lengthwise direction under a condition that the corresponding front wall is deflected into the corresponding space toward the corresponding connector therein, without interfering with the rear wall of said neighboring horizontal working cavity. 